Ham and sausage tying machine.



G. HOEFER & G. A. STROHHAEGKER.

HAM AND SAUSAGB'TYING- MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 16. 1909.

966,746. I Patented Aug. 9, 1910.

16 SHEETS-$111335. 1.

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G. HOEFER & G. A. STROHHAEGKER.

HAM AND SAUSAGE TYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16, 1909.

966,746. Patented Aug. 9, 1910.

16 SBEETS-SHEET 2.

Witnesses 1n: NORRIS PETERS ca.. WASHINGTON, D4 c.

G. HOEPER & G A. STROHHAECKER.

HAM AND SAUSAGE TYING MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16, 1909.

Patented Au 9, 1910.

15 sums-81mma.

owl/biw- G. HOEFER & G. STROHHAEGKER.

HAM AND SAUSAGE TYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16; 1909.

966,746. Patented Aug. 9, 1910.

16 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

G. HOEFER & G. A. STROHHAEGKER.

HAM AND SAUSAGE TYING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 16. 1909.

966,746. Patented Aug. 9, 1910.

16 SEEETB-BHEET 5.

1H: mmms PETERS co wAsumorcu, n. c.

G. HOEFER & G. A. STROHHAEGKER.

HAM AND SAUSAGE TYING MACHINE.

APPLIOATIOKPILED JUNE 16. 1909- 966,746. Patented Aug. 9,1910.

15 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

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WMWSQ G. HOEPER & G. A. STROHHAEGKER.

HAM AND SAUSAGE TYIN G MAbHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED JUNE 16. 1909.

Patented Aug. 9, 1910.

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G. HOEPER & G. A, STROHHAEOKER.

HAM AND SAUSAGE TYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16,

Patented Aug. 9, 1910.

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G. HOEFER & e. A. STROHHAEGKER.

HAM AlfTD SAUSAGE TYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16, 1909.

Patented Aug.v9, 1910.

15 BHEET8BHEBT 10.

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v G. HOEFER'& G. A. STROHHAEGKER.

HAM AND SAUSAGE TYING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16, 1909.

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Patented Aug. 9, 1910 m O m m m w m mmws PETERS co, WASHINGTDN, D. c.

G. HOBPER & G. A. STROHHAEGKER.

' HAM AND SAUSAGE TYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION IILED 1.111111. 16, 1909.

966,746. v Patented Aug. 9,1910.

15 8HEETS-SHEBT 12.

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G. HOEFER & G. A. STROHHAECKER.

HAM AND SAUSAGE TYING MACHINE.

. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16, 1909.

15 SHEETS-SHEET 13.

Patented Aug. 9, 1910.

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ma um G. HOEFER & G. A. STROHHAEOKER;

HAM AND SAUSAGE TYING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 16. 1909.

966,746. Patented Aug. 9,1910.

15 SHEETS-SHEET 14.

51 w warm/ 5 W X). MVZWM G. HOEFER & G. A. STR OHHAE GKER.

HAM AND SAUSAGE TYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16, 1909.

Patented Aug. 9,1910.

15 SHEETS-SHEET 15" carrier retracted advanced m. R "H E m m 6 A R L fv D E as G E A NH 5 v U A 5 retracted rus naRals PETERS :0, WASHINGTON, n. c.

UNITE STATES ATET ()FFTCE.

I-IAIVI AND SAUSAGE TYING MACHINE.

kee, 'isconsin, have invented a Ham and Sausage Tying hllachine, of which the follOWIH 1s a soecificatlon.

a: 1 This invention relates to means for automatically tying up cased meats such as sausages and hams and in brief any kind of meat which is stuffed into a tubular casing. At the present time it is customary in the trade to wrap such preparations securely with stout cord to hold them in shape during the smoking process; before which they are very soft and will not hold their shape, but after smoking they are suffic'iently dried out and rigidified to hold their shape properly after the cord has been removed. This tying up of the meats is done by hand, and as it occupies considerable time and requires skilled operators to perform it neatly and rapidly, it forms an important item in the cost of preparing such meats.

The object of the present invention is to perform the said operation of tying cased meats entirely by machinery and to dispense with hand-work; to enable the tying process to proceed with much greater rapidity and to be performed with greater accuracy and uniformity; and finally to enable it to be done with unskilled labor.

The invention comprises in its main elements, means for holding a cased meat (which shall herein for greater brevity be designated the sausage, meaning thereby any meat incased in a tubular casing); means for advancing it longitudinally through the machine; means for wrapping it with cords at regular intervals; and means for engaging these cords at regular intervals in the form of stitches. We further provide means for adjusting the machine by a simple and easy adjustment to any size of sausage within certain limits; and for opening or spreading the holders or carriers of the machine whereby a sausage may be removed or inserted in the machine at will.

Owing to the soft and yielding nature of the casing before the sausage is smoked, and the great danger of tearing it, it is necessary that it should be properly supported at all points within the machine, at least up to the point at which it is tied; and we therefore provide combined holding and advanc- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 16, 1909.

Patented A11 9, 1910.

Serial No. 502,545.

ing means (herein termed the carrier) which is adapted to clasp the sausage at all points and move bodily along with it.

In performing the stitching or tying operation we provide two cords which are carried in a semicircular arc halfway around the sausage on opposite sides thereof, and are mutually engaged in two rows of stitches on each side of the sausage.

Our invention consists in the constructionand combinations which will be hereinafter particularly described and set forth in our claims, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein,

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the complete machine; Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is a left-hand end elevation thereof; Fig. 41 is a right-hand end elevation thereof; Fig. 5 is, as to the upper portion, a longitudinal median section, and as to the lower portion, a rear elevation with the operating-shaft, cam-shaft and cams re moved, and certain parts accessory thereto broken away; Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse section on the plane 6, looking toward the left-hand end of the machine; Fig. 7 is a vertical transverse section on the plane 7, looking toward the righthand end of the machine; Fig. 8 is a plan view of the complete machine; Fig. 9 is a plan section thereof on the plane 9; Fig. 10 is a face-eleva tion on a larger scale of the wrappingand tying-mechanism; Fig. 11 is a plan section of the same taken on the stepped plane 11; Fig. 12 is a fragmentary plan-view on a still larger scale of the mechanism for operating the rack-bars which shift the cordcarrying arm; Fig. 13 is a rear elevation, partly broken away of one of the carriers, being that one whic is on the infeed side; Fig. 14 is an end elevation of the same from the left-hand end of Fig. 13, showing the clasper-shifter in raised position; Fig. 15 is a similar view showing the clasper-shifter in lowered position; Fig. 16 is a vertical longitudinal median section through both of the upper carriers, omitting the tyingmechanism, a part of the claspers being removed and the middle portion of the infeedcarrier being broken out to bring the figure Within the limits of the drawing; Fig. 17

is a plan section of the same on the plane 17 l of Fig. 13; Fig. 18 is a plan section of the same on the plane 18 of Fig. 13; Fig. 19 is an end View of one of the casing-walls of the carrier; Fig. 20 is a longitudinal section therethrough on the plane 20 of Fig. 21; Fig. 21 is a face-view of the inner face of the same casing-wall, a part of the middle being broken out to bring it within the limits of the drawing; Fig. 22 is a perspective view of one of the carrier-dogs; Fig. 23 is a plan view of one of the claspers; Fig. 24 is a side elevation thereof, partly in median section; Fig. 25 is an end-view of the same; Fig. 26 is a plan view of the needle, needleguide and other accessory parts, showing also the cord in the position of making a stitch; the bearing, sleeve and shaft being shown in section on the plane 26 of Fig. 10; Fig. 27 is a vertical longitudinal section through the parts shown in Fig. 26, on the plane 27 thereof; Fig. 28 is an end faceview on an enlarged scale of the perforated lug of the needle-guide showing the needle in the act of drawing a loop thereinto; Fig. 29 is a longitudinal section through the same on the plane 29; Fig. 30 shows the starwheel and resilient holder for releasably holding the carrier-adjusting mechanism; Fig. 31 is a side View, partly in median section, of the upper cord-carrying arm and the parts associated therewith; Fig. 32 is an end view of one of the pivot-pins for the cord-carrying arm, looking from the righthand end of Fig. 31; Fig. 33 is a transverse section through the cord-carrying arm and crank-arm, on the plane 33 of Fig. 31; Fig. 34 is a perspective view of one of the sleeves which supports the needle-shaft; Fig. is a plan view of the supporting-sleeve and levers for the needle-shaft and the parts associated therewith, showing the needle-shaft in section; Fig. 36 is a side elevation of the same, showing the bifurcated block in longitudinal section; Fig. 37 is a face-view of one of the tension-devices for the cord-carrying arms; Fig. 38 is an edge-view looking from the top of the device as shown in Fig. 37 Fig. 39 is a longitudinal section through the same on the plane 39; Fig. 40 is a front elevation of one of the tension-devices which are mounted on the frame; Fig. 41 is a face.- view of and Fig. 42 a longitudinal median section through theadjustable connection between the rock-arm and link for operating the needles; Fig. 43 is an operating diagram of the comparative concomitant movements of the machine which form a cycle, the line L designating the position in which the parts are shown in the assembled views, Figs. 1 to 10; Fig. 44 is a side-view of the sausage after being wrapped and tied, a portion being broken out of the middle to bring it within the limits of the sheet; Fig. 45 is an elevation of the right-hand or finishing end of the same; and Fig. 46 is an elevation of the right-hand or beginning end thereof.

In these drawings the same parts are designated by the same reference letters or numerals in each figure.

In the invention of this machine it was necessary first to find and adopt a satisfactory form of stitch, and secondly to provide means for forming that stitch. The

stitch which has been adopted for use is a two-cord stitch, each cord being carried half around the sausage, and the stitches being formed at opposite sides of the sausage by the interlocking of the two cords at the ends of the semi-convolutions, as will be seen in Fig. 44; but, without at the present time attempting to describe the stitch very minutely, we will proceed to a consideration of the mechanism for accomplishing it and for handling the sausage. The mechanism may be considered under the heads of (1) the sausage-holding and advancing mechanism, or sausage carrier, (2) the cord carrying mechanism, (3) the stitch-forming mechanism, (4) the adjusting and opemng movements, (5) the automatic cut-out and (6) the handoperating mechanism.

Referring to the assembled views, upon a suitably constructed foundation A, of sutlicient height to bring the apparatus to a convenient position for the operator, is mounted the bed-plate B of the machine, and secured thereto by foundation-bolts b. On this bedplate are formed four upstanding lugs 5 on which are mounted the four vertical frame-bolts C, secured at their upper ends to the top-frame-casting D, these several parts thus forming together the supporting framework of the machine. On these bolts C are mounted the sausage-carriers E, F, four in number, in two symmetrically disposed pairs one on each side of the tying-mechanism; the longer carrier, E, being the infeed, and the shorter, F, the delivery-carrier. Each lower carrier E or F is identical in construc tion with the upper one, but reversed in position. Each carrier E is secured to the adjacent carrier F by means of bolts 9 connecting the lugs e, f on the frames of said carriers, the frame G of the tying mechanism being interposed between the two carriers and having lugs 9 through which the bolts gpass. Thus each pair of carriers E, F form with the tying-mechanism a rigid unit, and each has on its outer ends a pair of lugs 6 f embracing the bolts C, the lower pair of carriers E, F, resting upon the upper ends of the base-lugs and the upper-carriers being suspended adjustably at a variable height above the lower carriers to provide for different sizes of sausages, in a manner which will be hereinafter described. The upper carriers are, however, provided with lugs 6 f embracing the frame-bolts C the same as the lower carriers, and extensions 6 0f the base-lugs b are provided which rigidify the frame-bolts C and may serve as abutments for the lower limit of movement of the upper carriers.

WVe will now proceed to describe the construction of the carriers in detail.

The sausagecarrien-One of the infeedcarriers E is illustrated detached from the machine in Figs. 13, 14 and 15, and an in feed and delivery carrier are shown together in Figs. 16, 17 and 18. The infeed-carrier consists of a box made up of a top or bottomplate (as the case may be) 6 a pair of sideplates 6, a pair of end-plates e, and a transverse central plate a which rigidly unites the side-plates c. The inner sides of the side-plates e are formed with projecting ribs e 0 (Figs. 19, 20, and 21), in each of which is a groove 6 which is formed to receive and retain the horizontally projecting toe h of a spring-lever h which is carried by one of a set of organisms H, whose function is to clasp, hold and advance the sansage, and which we shall here term claspers. One of the claspers is shown separately in Figs. 23, 24 and 25 (Sheet 13). Each clasper comprises a horizontal bar h having on each end ears 72; for the pivot-pins 72, of the spring-lever, 71?, which latter is provided with a central opening or slot h around the pivot to receive a coiled torsion-spring k mounted on the pin it the action of the spring being in such direction as to keep the toe h at the lower end of the lever normally thrust out as shown in the lower clasper of Fig. 14: and the upper clasper of Fig. 15. Thus the clasper is held normally in sliding engagement with the two grooves e on opposite sides of the casing.

The bar If carries mounted at the center thereof a spring-bow 7L which is formed of a resilient plate of metal the ends of which are united by a strap h of leather, canvas or other material which, when the sausage is pressed against it, is adapted to enfold and clasp the same without damage to the easing thereof, in the manner illustrated in Figs. 3, 6 and 7 and in dotted lines in Fig. 24. The bow h is secured upon a stem h which is slidably mounted within a bore h in the center of the bar 72?, and is held resiliently pressed forward by a coiled spring 72, one end of which abuts upon an adjustable abutment-plug 71- threaded into the upper end of the bore, said plug having itself a central bore through which the upper or reduced end it of the stem h passes. The prolongation it projects through the bore in the plug and has a cross-pin 71, which limits the downward movement of the spring-bow'with respect to the abutmentplug. Thus it will be seen that while the bow is resiliently mounted so as to yield upwardly under pressure of the sausage, each clasper can be individually adjusted until the pressure upon the sausage is the same for all. These claspers are arranged in two rows, one upon the upper, the other on the lower track formed by the grooves e in the lugs 6 6 the claspers being preferably adjacent so as to form, when clasping the sausage, a continuous tube, without leaving any interval between the claspers (although this is not essential to the invention), and the claspers in the active row are moved bodily along, carrying the sausage with them and advancing it a distance equal to the width of one clasper for each cycle of the machine, while the claspers in the opposite row are simultaneously advanced an equal distance in the opposite direction. At each cycle the clasper on the end of each row which comes against the end of the box is automatically shifted to the opposite row, where an empty space is left for it 'by the advancing movement of the clasper which occupied that position at the previous cycle.

The delivery-carrier is made up of the top-plate f side-plates f end-plates f and transverse central plate f (Figs. 16 to 18), similar to the corresponding parts of the infeed-carrier, and supporting similar upper and lower rows of claspers H, and requires therefore no separate description.

The manner of producing the endwise or advancing movement of the rows of claspers is as follows: WVithin the carrier-box, in the recesses of the side-plate 6', f opposite the ends of the bars h of both rows, are mounted two pairs of reciprocating rods 1, I, which we shall here term carrier-rods, and which extend through both the infeedand delivery-carriers, being mounted in ournalapertures 6 formed in the internal ribs 6 of the side-plates 6 7. These rods pass through bearing-lugs f on the end-plate f of the delivery-carrier-casing on the lefthand end of the machine, and are connected by links a" to a pair of double rock-arms 2' which are mounted upon a rock-shaft 2' pivoted in bearings f on the lugs f (see Figs. 1, 16, 17 and 18). The rock-shaft 2'" extends rearwardly to a point beyond the rear lug f and has mounted on its end a crank i which has a crank-pin 2' on which is pivoted a sliding-block i engaging in a slot 7" of a second sliding-block J, (Figs. 2 and 5), which is mounted upon slide-bearings 75', 70 of the rear frame-casting K, which has perforated lugs 70 at its ends embracing the bolts C, and is otherwise sup ported centrally by a pedestal I).

At the rear of the machine, and extending longitudinally thereof, is the horizontal cam-shaft M, which is mounted in bearings 70 74 7c, 70 (see Fig. 2), and which carries two cam-blocks 971/, m the latter being pro-' vided with the spur-gear-teeth m engaging in a pinion n on the main shaft N, which turns in a bearing k on the casting K and in two bearings 6 Z) which are supported on pedestals b 6 springing from the bedplate B. The main shaft is driven by means of a stepped fly-wheel-pulley 11?, connected with the shaft as will be hereinafter described.

Returning to the sliding-block J, in the slot 7" of which the ends of the cranks i belonging to the upper and lower carriers are both guided, this sliding-block receives its reciprocating movement from the cam m, by means of a cam-roller j (Fig. 5), which engages in the cam-groove m in the cylindrical surface of said cam. The form of this cam-groove is such that each carrierrod I, I is once advanced and retracted in each cycle of the machine, and the movement of the upper and lower carrier-rods of each carrier are of course simultaneous and opposite, due to their connection to the opposite ends of the rock-arms 2' and the fact that the upper row of claspers H in the carrier must move in opposite direction from the lower one. .Each carrier-rod I, I has mounted upon it a pair of dogs 6 one in eaclr carrier E, F, the rods I for the inner or active row of claspers having the dogs 2' at the right-hand end of each carrier, and the outer rods I having them at the lefthand end of each carrier (see Figs. 16, 17 and 18)., These'dogs lie in the path of movement of the end-claspers of each row. At the beginning of the advance-stroke of the carrier-rods, as the claspers are being moved by the shifting-devices hereinafter described from the foot of one row to the head of the next, the dogs 2' lie out of the way in recesses 6 f, in the end-plates 6 f and as the claspers reach their new positions, the dogs 2' are advanced by the rods I, I, engaging the ends of the claspers and carrying with them the whole row a distance equal to the width of a clasper, as aforesaid.

The mechanism for shifting the claspers vertically from one row to the opposite as they reach the end of the row is as follows: On the top-plate e of each of the infeed carriers, and at each end of said top-plate, are mounted a pair of standards 6, which have slideways e for vertically reciprocating plungers O. Each plunger O has on each side a depending extension or bar 0', which is of special form, having a knob 0 on its lower end. An opening it is formed near each end of the bar k of the clasper to. allow the knob 0 to pass through it, and this opening is slotted out on one side, as shown in Fig. 23, to permit the end-clasper of the outer row to be shifted sidewise while the plunger is depressed (as in Fig. 15), to

the inner row. i The knob 0 on the lower end of the bar 0 of the plunger has on its outer face a notch 0 which is adapted to receive a small roller 72." carried by the up-v per end of the spring-lever 72. and the depth of this notch is such that when the roller h is engaged therein, the toe h of the springlever is released from the groove 6 and the clasper therefore is supported entirely by the plunger and ready to partake of its shifting movement to shift the clasper to-the opposite row. The machine feeds the sau sage from right to left, hence the shifting movement on the right-hand end of each carrier will always be in an inward direction (downward for the upper carrier), and upon the left-hand end of each carrier in an outward direction.

It will be observed from Figs. 14 and 15, and more clearly in Figs. 19, 20 and 21, that the upper lug e is notched out at its ends below the grooves 6 at 6 and that the lower lug e is correspondingly notched at 6 above the groove 6 This is to enable the toe h of the spring-lever k to clear the edge of the notched-out portion in passing from one groove to the other, without clearing the outer edge of the groove. It will be seen that, just before the roller 7:, drops into the notch 0 the toe 72.. will be drawn farther in than when the roller is in said notch, and the outer sides of the grooves 6 must therefore extend sufliciently far beyond the edge of the notched-out portions to prevent the toe h from clearing them at that moment, otherwise the clasper would be carried or fall out of place.

On the top-plate e of the infeed-carrier, formed as a part thereof, are a pair of longitudinal webs 6 which form rigidifying and supporting means for the carrier and also means for carrying the operating-mechanism of the 'clasper-shiftersa On these webs e are formed bearings e for the pivot-pins 0 of a pair of right-angled levers 0 the horizontal arms of which are connected by links 0 to the plungers 0, while the upright arms are connected by pins 0 to a pair of parallel bars 0 The delivery-carrier F, which is shorter than the infeed-carrier, because it is not necessary to support for its full length the wrapped portion of the sausage, has standards f similar to the standards a, and operating in the same manner, but, in place of the two bell-crank levers 0 carries a single threearm or T-lever 0 which is pivoted at 0 upon webs f, and whose horizontal arms are connected with the respective plungers O, and whose upright arm is pivoted by a pin 0 between the two extended ends of the parallel bars 0 so that the claspershifters of both carriers act in unison.

The means for reciprocating the parallel bars 0 comprises a rock-shaft 0 pivotally mounted in ears 6 on the top-plate e and carrying at one end a rock-arm 0 and at the other a crank 0 The rock-arm 0 is connected by a link 0 to the bars 0 or preferably said link is pivoted on the upper end of a T-shaped piece 0 which is riveted between the bars 0 and the end of the link which is connected to the rock-arm 0 has an adjustable pivot-pin 0 which is slidable within a slot 0 in the end of the rock-arm; whereby the movement or travel of the clasper-shifters may be exactly adjusted after the carrier is assembled. This device is similar to that shown in detail in Figs. 41 and 42.

The shaft 0 is oscillated by the crank 0 which carries on its end a crank-pin 0 on which is mounted a rectangular slideblock 0 said slide-block engaging within a vertical slot p in a second slide-block P, which reciprocates horizontally upon slidebearings is", 1* on the rear frame-casting K (see Fig. 5). It will be observed that the slide-block P has, beside the vertical slot 79 for the upper carrier, a second vertical slot p for the lower carrier, which is arranged in exactly the same way and in symmetrical position; but the upper slot 79, as well as the slot j in the slide-block J, is elongated upwardly for the purpose of permitting the upper carriers to be raised and adjusted in the manner which is hereinafter described. The slide-block P is reciprocated by means of a cam-roller 79, which engages ina cam groove in formed in the cylindrical surface of the cam-block m which is mounted on the cam-shaft M.

The relative movements of the carrierrods and shifters is described later on.

The cord-carrying mechanism.This is illustrated more particularly in Figs. 10, 11, and 12 of the drawings, and its details in Figs. 31 to 33. The frame G, which is mounted between the upper infeed and delivery-carriers, has its counterpart in the frame G which is mounted between the lower infeed and delivery-carriers, and is identical with it in shape except for the omission of certain parts of the upper frame G which carry the elements of the stitchforming mechanism; therefore the same reference letters apply to both so far as the elements of the upper frame are present in the lower. The said frame is of generally rectangular form, having the bolt lugs g at its four corners, and in the middle of its two horizontal bars are mounted two stubshafts q, in vertical alinement, on which turn a pair of gear-pinions Q2, which are secured on said shafts by means of nuts 9 and washers 9 set within central recesses g in the open face of said pinions; and upon the open face of each pinion is secured a crankarm (1' by means of screws g said crankarm having a flange g which engages the margin of the central recess g whereby it is maintained in central position. On the free ends of said crank-arms is mounted the cord-carrying arm Q, by means of pivotpins which have broad, flat heads 9 on the face of the arm Q and are secured in place of linch-pins These pins 9 are held against rotating with respect to said arm Q by any suitable means, such as small pins 9 set in suitable registering recesses in the abutting faces of the heads and arm Q, as shown in Fig. 33. The head of each pin is recessed and perforated by a vertical bore 9 through which passes the cord R, and which acts as a guide therefor, the upper end of each bore being flared laterally as shown in Fig. 32, so as to give an easy passage to the cord when it enters obliquely, as happens when the arm is at either side of the central position. The lower end of the arm Q carries a projecting nose 7), which is perforated by a bore 9 through which the cord R is passed, and a flanged antifriction-wheel is provided at the point where the direction of the cord changes in passing through the bore to prevent undue resistance to movement, or abrasion of the cord. In addition a guiding e e 917 is preferably placed on the face of t e arm Q, just above the wheel (7 so as to prevent the cord from running off the wheel. The two cords which are used to tie the sausage are, for the sake of distinction, designated R and R, and they are brought from cops or spools r 1", which are mounted at the top and bottom of the machine. The upper cop r is mounted on the frame-plate D, and to draw the cord therefrom we have provided a bracket-arm 1" supported on one of the bridges d. The cord passes downwardly through the center of the plate D and through a hole in the plate V (Fig. 6), thence through the apertures Q13 in the pins Q9, through the eye q, thence around the wheel 9 and through the nose as heretofore described.

For giving a suitable tension to the cord, two tension devices are provided. The first, designated W, is of any suitable type, and as herein shown consists of a pair of rollers r between which the cord is caused to pass and a guiding eye r (Fig. 40-). This device is only for the purpose of providing sufficient tension on the cord to prevent it from becoming loose between the frame and the cord-carrying arm; and a second device 1*", which produces the real tension, and consists of a spring-finger (shown in separate view in Figs. 37, 38 and 39), is mounted under the head of one of the pins q and resiliently presses the thread against the face of the arm Q. These devices may be varied without affecting the essentials of our invention.

For the lower cord-cop r a recess r is 

